Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous ATLAS II Forklift

TARDEC's Force Projection Technology business area is interested in enhancing the capabilities of our fleet of ATLAS II forklifts to enable them to use sensing hardware and software to enable both autonomous and semi-autonomous movement in dangerous and repetitive environments. The contractor shall provide an initial concept design and a prototype vehicle system. The vehicle system will be used to: minimize and reduce hazards and risks to soldiers by maneuvering palletized loads through an obstacle course; conduct simple and repetitive materiel handling tasks (load placement and productivity); and load and unload palletized loads (up to 10,000 pounds, see attached Required ATLAS II Missions for further details on ATLAS II missions). These tasks shall be able to be performed by both remote controls with one operator, and completely autonomously. The vehicle will be able to demonstrate semi-autonomous operation by avoiding obstacles and hazards throughout a 2-mile obstacle course using a combination of cameras, external human input, and sensing hardware and software.